Post Office Won't Forward Ballots. Will Thousands Displaced by Creek Fire Still be Able to Vote?
gvw_nancy_price
By Nancy Price, Multimedia Journalist
Published 3 years ago on
September 18, 2020
Jim Butler evacuates from the North Fork community in Madera County, Calif., as the Creek Fire approaches on Monday, Sept. 7, 2020. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Share

The thousands of people who have been temporarily or permanently uprooted by the Creek Fire already have a lot on their minds and may not be thinking about how they’re going to get their mailed ballot for November’s general election.

One important fact to be aware of: The U.S. Postal Service does not forward mail ballots. So if you moved in with friends or relatives who live elsewhere in California — or even out of state — you’ll need to take a few extra steps to make sure you get a ballot.

But no one will be disenfranchised by the Creek Fire or other wildfires burning across California, Valley elections officials tell GV Wireâ„ .

“Our hearts go out to the folks who have experienced tragedy, and we stand at the ready to help them get their ballots,” said Brandi Orth, Fresno County Clerk/Registrar of Voters.

You’ve Got Options

Orth and Rebecca Martinez, Madera County Clerk/Registrar of Voters, said those people displaced by wildfire have a number of options available to them.

But it’s important to communicate with elections officials as soon as possible, whether by phone or email, Martinez said, because ballots will be mailed starting on Oct. 1.

Voter Help in Madera County

In Madera County, voters can call 800-435-0509 or email electionsinfo@maderacounty.com to provide a new mailing address, she said. Or, she said, voters can come to the Government Center at 200 W. Fourth St. in Madera starting Oct. 1 to pick up a ballot or vote in person.

Vote Centers will open at the Oakhurst Community Center on Oct. 24 and Foothill Community Church on Oct. 31, and a Mobile Vote Center will be heading to the county’s mountain reaches in October, Martinez said.

The Mobile Vote Center “is new to us, and we’re excited about it,” she said.

Those voters who are unable to access a Vote Center or haven’t provided a new mailing address can request a Remote Accessible Vote by Mail ballot, but they will need an email address, computer, and printer to print out the emailed ballot, which then must be mailed to the Elections Office to be counted, Martinez said.

Voter Help in Fresno County

In Fresno County, the phone numbers to the Elections Office are 559-600-VOTE (8683) and 844-977-8683, Orth said. Voters can call the office to have a ballot mailed to their new address. They also may request a Remote Accessible Vote by Mail ballot, she said.

Some Creek Fire evacuees have wound up as far away as Colorado, but no matter where you are, the Fresno County Clerk’s Office can mail a new ballot to you, Orth said.

Elections offices will open for early voting starting Oct. 5, and voters can head there if they need a replacement ballot, she said.

Election centers will open starting Oct. 31 and remain open through Election Day on Nov. 3, Orth said.

Lines may be a little longer this year because of the need to provide sufficient social distancing in the vote centers where COVID-19 protocols will be in effect, she said.

Voter information for people displaced by fires is available on the Clerk’s website.

Poll Workers Needed

And for people who are looking for some temporary employment, Orth said, Fresno County is still in need of elections workers. Go to fresnocountyjobs.com

DON'T MISS

FresYes Fest Is Saturday: This Immigrant Is Living the American Dream With Xtreme Shawarma

DON'T MISS

Will FUSD Trustees Look First Only at Internal Candidates in Superintendent Search?

DON'T MISS

Bredefeld, Chavez Win Attorneys Fees from Fresno County. Court Gives Chavez Blvd. a Green Light.

DON'T MISS

Special Congressional Election Tuesday. How Many Have Voted Already?

DON'T MISS

Brothers Say They Found Amelia Earhart’s Plane, Will Donate It to Smithsonian

DON'T MISS

These Fresno Eclipse Chasers Are Hoping For 4 Minutes of Darkened Bliss in Texas

DON'T MISS

Hutson Is Done as Fresno State Basketball Coach After Tournament Loss

DON'T MISS

New Challenge to SW Fresno Industrial Project: SoCal Enviro Group Sues City, Developer

DON'T MISS

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

DON'T MISS

Fresno’s Eric Kendricks Joins Cowboys After First Committing to Niners

No data was found
Nancy Price,
Multimedia Journalist
Nancy Price is a multimedia journalist for GV Wire. A longtime reporter and editor who has worked for newspapers in California, Florida, Alaska, Illinois and Kansas, Nancy joined GV Wire in July 2019. She previously worked as an assistant metro editor for 13 years at The Fresno Bee. Nancy earned her bachelor's and master's degrees in journalism at Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism. Her hobbies include singing with the Fresno Master Chorale and volunteering with Fresno Filmworks. You can reach Nancy at 559-492-4087 or Send an Email

The 49ers Have Been Docked a 2025 Fifth-Round Draft Pick for an Accounting Error

3 hours ago

Fresno Bank Sued. It Allegedly Helped Bitwise Commit Fraud.

bitwise /

3 hours ago

How California’s Prized Solution for Methane Gas Is Backfiring on Farmers

environment /

6 hours ago

Supreme Court Seems Favorable to Biden Administration Over Efforts to Combat Social Media Posts

7 hours ago

Putin Extends Rule in Preordained Russian Election After Harshest Crackdown Since Soviet Era

7 hours ago

Ohtani to Begin Throwing Program Soon. Roberts Hints Dodgers Star Might Play in the Field

7 hours ago

Trump: Some Migrants Are ‘Not People’, There’ll Be a ‘Bloodbath’ if I Lose

7 hours ago

Tech Lawyer and Philanthropist Nicole Shanahan Rumored as RFK Jr.’s VP Pick

news /

7 hours ago

March Madness is Here. UConn, Purdue, Houston and North Carolina Get Top Seeding in NCAA Tournament

8 hours ago

Crafts Retailer Joann Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy as Consumers Cut Back on Pandemic-Era Hobbies

8 hours ago

Records Show That Valley Children’s Leader Suntrapak’s Pay Exceeds $5 Million

â– Valley Children’s paid CEO Todd Suntrapak $5.2 million in 2021. The hospital also gave him a $5 million forgivable home loan. â– The Va...
Healthcare /

2 hours ago

3 days ago

Realtor Association Settles Lawsuit on Commission Rules. Fresno Broker Fears the End of Market Transparency

3 days ago

Prosecutor Leaves Georgia Election Case Against Trump After Relationship With District Attorney

3 days ago

Rory McIlroy’s 65: 10 Birdies, 2 Tee Shots in the Water, 1 Testy Dispute

3 days ago

Aaron Donald Announces His Retirement After a Standout 10-Year Career With the Rams

3 days ago

New Book Explores the Myths, Truths and Legacy of the Macho Man

3 days ago

Baseball Superstar Ohtani and His Wife Arrive in South Korea for Dodgers-Padres MLB Opener

3 days ago

India’s New Citizenship Law Excludes Muslims. Here’s What to Know

3 days ago

US, G-7 Allies Warn Iran to Back Off Deal to Provide Russia Ballistic Missiles or Face New Sanctions

Photo of San Francisco 49ers' Arik Armstead

3 days ago

Former 49ers DT Arik Armstead Agrees to a 3-Year, $51 Million Deal with the Jaguars, AP Source Says

3 days ago

Supreme Court Rules Public Officials Can Sometimes Be Sued for Blocking Critics on Social Media

Search